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I work in the public sector so we've had pay freeze for at least three years and nothing else has frozen.
So there has been an increase in rent, an increase in utilities, an increase in everything
and I just put it all on my credit cards.
And then realising at the end that paying the minimum just wasn't paying anything off
and then actually sitting back and realising the amount of interest that I was losing and owing people.
It became a bit too much.
I first tried to go back to the main lenders with a detailed business plan
and a spread sheet and an excel sheet.
At that point, I thought that would be the solution and it wasn't.
And then I think it was just that anxiety of what next?
It was very embarrassing. I still thought I could figure it out
and I still sat for a couple of days actually looking at things I could do
like getting another job and all of that would have been fine but it wouldn't have stopped the harassment.
It wouldn't have happened.
It was just too much and I was on the verge of tears and I thought.
I took the number out that my sister gave me and I rang up.
I think it was a very scary moment, a very embarrassing moment but this lady on the phone was exceptionally helpful
and exceptionally encouraging and just in a way saying "we can find a solution" not "sort it out yourself"
"together we'll figure it out" and I think that for me was the first step of thinking
"okay there's someone out there who's prepared to give me the guidance
and the help that I need to sort this out"
They thoroughly explained everything, pros and cons and let me think about it.
If I had questions I could call up. So yeah, much better.
This learning to spend within my means has been a learning curve but it's very positive as well.
It's good to know that the money I have in my bank account is money that I can use
and working with them continuously because things change.
So like rent will go up again and utilities will go up again and I know that I can call them
and say "this is what's happened" and they readjust things, they look at things.
So it's constantly having that support there.
It's not like they've helped you and then they've dumped you.
It's going to feel so good to be on my own two feet and be under 40
and not owe anyone any money.
And hopefully I can then start saving, which would be great.